Porn Addiction

Addiction Counselling Edmonton - Porn addiction treatment

The main thing that distinguishes porn use from porn addiction is the compulsive nature

Discussing pornography addiction, which is a subset of sex addiction, can refer to a range of behaviours that are done in excess and negatively impact one’s life. Pornography is now often the first experience with sexuality that youth have. Its prevalence in our modern culture has had extensive cultural impacts on sexuality, in general, in terms of preferences, fetishes, body image expectations and relationship dynamics. It can affect relationships and sexuality in multiple ways, detrimentally and could become a porn addiction and manifest in maladaptive relationship behaviours like infidelity. For example, some pornography dependent individuals who exhibit compulsive sexual behavior lose their appetite for real-life sexual situations and the amounts of time spent porn viewing can be detrimental to the relationship. This can impact the formation or maintenance of romantic relationships. Others cannot climax without porn, or fantasizing about porn. Others still cannot reach sexual arousal or satisfaction without involvement with certain pornographic material or pornography fetishes or acts. This can set unrealistic or impossible expectations in sexual relationships, often causing them to cease in the real world.

Due to the compulsive nature of the symptoms of porn addiction. Often, other compulsive behaviours occur creating cross-addiction scenarios. Substance abuse, drug addiction or alcohol addiction are very common comorbid addiction to the addiction to pornography and can often lead to related health issues. Personality disorders can also underpin the compulsive and destructive nature of the problem if it is not treated.

Pornography Statistics

40 million adults in the U.S. visit internet pornography sites on a regular basis.

How Shift Can Help

Pornography viewing can be an enhancement to a great sex life and add a little spice or personal satisfaction or it can become a problem. When it morphs into a sexual addiction, it impacts sex drive, relationships, and even productivity in daily life. It can also have negative workplace impact, financial impacts and general mental health. The main thing that distinguishes porn use from porn addiction is the compulsive nature of the urge to view pornography and the level of disruption to regular life.

Unlike a 12-step program, Shift Psychological has a number of licensed psychologists who are trained in porn addiction counselling and treatment options. Call one of our offices today in order to book an appointment. We have offices in Calgary: 587.352.6463 and in Edmonton: 780.705.6463.

Please note that Shift does not have a group therapy option available at this time.

At Shift, we look at porn addiction as an outgrowth of dysfunctional needs, stemming from deep-rooted limiting beliefs. Things that we think about ourselves that we attempt to navigate around using distractions and compulsions, such as pornography.

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